Reversible ratchet wrench mechanism



1954 A. P. STONE 2,685,355

REVERSIBLE RATCHET MECHANISM I Filed Nov. 18, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR.

ARTHUR P. STONE BY 'TORNEY 1954 A. P. STONE 2,685,355

REVERSIBLE RATCHET WRENCH MECHANISM Filed Nov. 18, 1949 INVENTOR.

ARTHUR P. ST

ATTQRNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 3, 1954 REVERSIBLE RATOHETWRENCH MECHANISM Arthur P. Stone, Akron,

Wright Tool. and For Ohio, a corporation of Ohio, assignor to The geCompany, Barberton,

Ohio

Application November 18, 1949, Serial No. 128,140

4 Claims. 1 This invention .relates to a reversible ratchet mechanism,and, in particular, relates .to an im- -proved ratchet wrench.

In the past, ratchet wrenches of generally satisfactory constructionhave been provided.

Very small ratchet wrenches, however, as for" quarter-inch drivesockets, could .be produced, but only at a cost comparable with that oflarger sizes, while the purchasingpublic expected to buy the smallerwrenches at a relatively :lower cost. If the demand for a small wrenchat a relatively low cost were met they would necessarily have been ofinferior quality.

One object :of the present invention is to provide a strong, efiicientratchet wrench particularly for use with drive-socketsof extremely smallsize, and yet which by having a minimum of parts, and being of simpleconstruction, is adapted to be sold at lower cost than larger wrenchesof com-parable quality. 7

Another object ofthe invention .is to provide an improved wrenchmechanism of the character described which is easy to adjust forreversing the operation thereof.

Other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following briefdescription and the accompanying drawings.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a ratchet wrench embodying the features ofthe invention.

Figure 2 is a sideelevation thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross- :section, taken substantiallyon the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-section, on the same scale, takensubstantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, in relative position of thereversing mechanism for driving work in counterclockwise direction.

Figure 5 is a cross-section corresponding to Figure 4, except that thereversing mechanism is in relative position for driving work inclockwise direction.

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-section, taken substantially on the line6-6 of Figure 3, and on the same scale, illustrating the relativeposition of said adjusting means, corresponding to Figure 5.

Figure 7 is .a view similar to Fig-ure 6, illustrating the relativeposition of reversing mechanism adjusting means corresponding to Figure4.

Figure '8 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical cross-section taken throughsaid adjusting means,

. substantially on the line 88 of Figure 2.

Figures 9 and. 10 are views corresponding to 2 Figures "1 and .2,illustrating a modified form of .the invention.

Figure 1-1 is a bottomplan view of the wrench shown .in Figure 10.

Figure 11a shows a detail of a retainer spring utilized in said modifiedform of wrench.

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssection, taken substantiallyon the line [2-12 of Figure 9, showing .the operating parts in neutralposition.

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssection, taken substantiallyon the line .I'3-i'3 of Figure 10, in said neutral position.

Figures 14 and 15 are views similar to Figure 13, but with the operatingparts in reversed operating .positions.

Referring particularly 'to Figures 1 to 8 of the drawings, there isillustrated one embodiment of the invention in the form of a ratchetwrench It for turning a wrench socket H of known type (shown inchain-dotted lines in Figure '2').

The Wrench essentially includes a head l8, a.

handle extension 119 integrally connected to said head and extendingtherefrom at right angles to an axis of a cylindrical bore or openingthrough the head, between opposite parallel faces 2| and .22 thereof,and a reversible ratchet mechanism .23 mounted in said opening 2'0 andadjustable to rotate with the head in reverse directions of operation ofthe same in a manner to 'be described.

The ratchet mechanism 2.3 may include a generally cylindrical .shank.24., rotatably received in the cylindrical opening 20, and having anintegral flange 25 providing an annular shoulder rotatably seating in acounterbcre 26 in one side face 2| of the head. The shank may beretained against axial movement .insaid opening by means of a disc-likecap 2] centrally apertured to receive a reduced extension 28 on the endof the shank adjacent the other face 22 of the head. Cap 2 is relativelyrotatably retained on extension 28, against said face 22, by a screw 29threaded on the extension and having .a head engaging an outwardlypresented annular seat portion 3|] in the cap. The shank 24 has anintegral squared extension 24a from the flanged end thereof, forreception in a correspondingly shaped orifice in a wrench socket I] orsimilar device, the socket being yieldingly .releasably retained on theshank :by .a spring-pressed detent 24-22.

.As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the portion of the shank 24 within saidopening .20 may be .reduced at diametrically opposite sides to provideflat,

with the opposite arcuate and fiat surfaces converging incircumferentially opposite directions.

Extending in axial direction in each recess 33, between the flange '25and cap 27, is an elongated roller bearing 35 of diameter equal to orslightly less than the maximum width of the segmental recess 33. Spacedpins 35 and 31 extend from the inner face of the cap 2? into each recess33 and straddle the bearing 35 therein, with a slight clearance betweenthe pins and the bearing (see Figure 4). Thus, by rotation of the cap 2!in clockwise direction as far as it will go, relatively of head [8, thepairs of pins 36 and 31 will urge the bearings 35 toward frictionalwedging engagement with the corresponding converging wall portions ofrecesses 33, as illustrated in Figure 5, so that by turning handle $9 inclockwise direction the shank 24 may be turned in the same directionagainst retarding action applied to shank 24 as by a nut (not shown)being tightened by socket H on said shank extension 24a. Conversely, byturning the cap 21 in counterclockwise direction relatively of head Hi,the pairs of pins 36 and 31 will urge the bearings 33 toward frictionalwedging engagement with the opposite converging wall portions for thereverse operation of the wrench to loosen a nut.

Indexing means is required for releasably holding the cap 27 in eitherof the two operative positions described. Accordingly, two closelyadjacent V-shaped grooves 39 and 40 extend diametrically across theinner face of the cap, as shown in Figures 6,"? and 8, and twospringpressed balls or detents 4| and 42 are mounted in cooperationtherewith on an adjacent annular shoulder 43', defined in the end ofshank 24, by the reduced extension 28 thereof. The arrangement is suchthat upon rotation of the cap relatively of the shank 24 in eitherdirection, as far as said wedging of rollers 35 will permit, the balls4| and 42 will be yieldingly urged past the dividing ridge, either intothe grooves 39 and 40, respectively, as shown in Figure 6', or into thegrooves 40 and 39, respectively, as shown in Figure '7. Engagement ofthe balls in the cap grooves as shown in Figures 6 and 7 is effective tohold the bearings 35 in the previously described wedging positions ofFigures 4 and 5, respectively, the head l8, in any event, being freelyrotatable with respect to the shank in directions opposite to saidwedging rotations of the same. Force is necessary to change the settingof the indexing means just described and such setting will not bedisturbed in normal use of the tool.

In use of the improved wrench of Figures 1 to 8, as for turning a nut(not shown) a standard wrench socket ll of requisite size, is fittedonto the squared extension 24a of shank 2%. For tightening the nut thecap 21 is first urged in clockwise direction, the spring-pressed balls4i and E2 in the grooves 49 and 39 in the manner shown in Figure '7,thereby to lock the cap with respect to the shank with the bearings 35toward wedging position in recesses 33, as shown in Figure 5. The nut isthen tightened by alternately urging handle is in the describedclockwise wedging and counter-clockwise bearing-releasing directions, asviewed in Figure 5. A nut may be loosened by first urging the cap 2? incounter-clockwise direction (Figure 1) to set said balls in the relativepositions shown as viewed in Figure 1, to set in Figure 6 and therebylock the cap in position to retain bearings 35 in the opposite wedgingp0- sitions shown in Figure 4, and then reciprocating the handle 19 asbefore, in which case the effective rotation of head i8 and associatedparts is in counter-clockwise direction.

Referring now to Figures 9 to 15, there is shown a modified form ofratchet wrench wherein a head part 56 has an extension 5|, as before,the main difference in construction being in the reversing mechanism 52by which is reduced to a minimum the friction affecting the efficiencyof the indexing means 53.

To this end, as best shown in Figures 12 to 14, a shank 54 has arelatively short cylindrical portion 58, rotatable adjacent one end of abore 60 which extends all the way through head 50, between opposite flatfaces 6| and 62 thereof, the shank being releasably retained againstaxial shifting in the bore as by means of a retractible loop type spring55, received in registering annular grooves 68 and B1 in the head 50within bore 60 and in the outer periphery of cylindrical part 58,respectively. The groove 66 is of suflicient depth whereby the spring 65is retractible inwardly within the same to release engagement thereoffrom within the groove 61, for example, when the shank is beingpositioned in the head during assembly or being removed therefrom forrepairing or cleaning the mechanism. Retraction of the spring for thesepurposes is facilitated by the same having two free ends which extendinto a wide slot 68 in the face 62 of head 50, these ends beingengageable between the tips of two fingers or by means of a suitabletool (not shown). A square extension 69 is provided on shank 54 forreleasably retaining a wrench socket, as previously described.

The major proportion of the shank 58 within bore 5-3 is reduced topolygonal cross-section, such as square, as shown, providing a pluralityof flat cam faces 10, 10a, hlb, and H30, which with the opposed arcuatewall portions of the bore form axially-extending recesses converging incircumferentially opposite directions. An elongated roller bearing ineach recess is frictionally engageable at either end thereof, as before,upon rotating the shank slightly in either direction relatively of thehead 50.

For so moving the bearings for said frictional engagement, a cap 86,rotatably retained on a reduced extension 88 of the shank outwardly ofsaid face 6| of the head, has prongs 90 which extend into the spacesadjacent said bearings (Figures 12 to 14), the arrangement being suchthat when the cap is first rotated relatively of the shank to change thefrictional grip of the bearings there will be a certain degree oflostmotion before the prongs will have been moved sufficiently to applyrequisite binding action. The cap 86 may be rotatably held on shankextension 88, as by means of a screw 89 threaded into the outer endthereof, with the head 89a of the screw engaging a washer 88b interposedbetween the same and the outer face of the cap.

Simple means is provided for indexing or releasably locking the cap 86with respect to the shank in either of the two extreme limits of saidreversing action. This indexing means may comprise spring-pressed ballsor detents 91a arranged in recesses to project to a slight extent fromthe inner face of said cap, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 12, therebeing one such ball at each of two diametrically opposite cornershoulder portions of shank 54 defined by said reduced extension 88thereof. The balls in the neutral position of the parts of the reversingmechanism, as best shown in Figure 13, rest on said corner edgeportions, and when the cap is relatively rotated with respect to theshank toward full wedging engagement of the bearings 85 in therespective recesses 80, in one direction or the other (see Figures 14and 15), the balls M will overhang one side edge or the other of itssaid corner shoulder portions, sufficiently to retain the cap in thecorresponding positions of limited relative rotation of the cap andshank (see the positions of the balls in Figures 14 and 15).

The use of the wrench of Figures '7 to 15 is otherwise substantially thesame as previously described in connection with Figures 1 to 8. It willbe noted, however, that there is no direct frictional engagement betweenany part of the cap 86 and the head 50, and hence during normal use ofthe improved tool any tendency of the indexing means 52 to get out ofadjustment is reduced to a minimum.

Other modifications of the invention may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A reversible ratchet wrench comprising a head having an openingtherethrough between opposite sides thereof and including a cylindricaltrack portion, a turning handle affixed on said head, a shank having awork-turning portion at one end thereof, means for rotatably mountingsaid shank in said opening to have said workturning portion at one sideof the head and the opposite end of the shank presented at the otherside of the head, releasable locking means for retaining said rotatableshank against axial movement in said opening, a cap, means for mountingsaid cap on said opposite end of said shank to be manually rotatablerelatively of the same, said shank having an axially extending portionof polygonal cross-section within said cylindrical track portionpresenting a plurality of substantially flat cam faces in spacedrelation to the same and thereby defining with corresponding arcuateWall portions of said cylindrical track portions a plurality of spaceswhich converge in circumferentially opposite directions, a cylindricalbearing in each said recess for wedging engagement between oppositeconverging wall portions of the same, guide fingers on said capextending freely inwardly thereof to have opposite edge portions of thesame engageable with either of adjacent said bearings upon rotation ofthe cap relatively of said shank in either of opposite directions tomove the bearings in unison into frictional wedging engagement incorrespondingly opposite said converging wall portions, at least oneshoulder being provided on said polygonal portion of said shank inwardlyopposite said cap and exposing opposite corner edges on the shankdefined by two adjacent converging said cam faces, at least onespringpressed ball mounted on the inner side of said cap andball-retaining guide means provided in said cap to be in cooperationwith either of said converging corner edges of said shoulder and thenearest adjacent said bearing, in a given locked position of the cap andshank, and thereby defining confining space between the same whichretains the ball in given locked position, said cap being rotatablerelatively of said shank to ride the spring-pressed ball over saidshoulder between opposite said corner edges thereof in which thespring-pressed ball is yieldingly re- 6 tained by the same and saidguidemeans, thereby to lock the cap relatively of said shank in positionscorresponding to said opposite wedging portions of said bearing.

2. A reversible ratchet wrench comprising a head having an openingtherethrough between opposite sides thereof and including a cylindricaltrack portion, a turning handle affixed on said head, a shank having awork-turning portion at one end thereof, means for rotatably mountingsaid shank in said opening to have said work-turning portion at one sideof the head and the opposite end of the shank presented at the otherside of the head, releasable locking means for retaining said rotatableshank against axial movement in said opening, a cap, means for mountingsaid cap on said opposite end of said shank to be manually rotatablerelatively of the same, said shank having an axially extending portionof polygonal cross-section within said cylindrical track portionpresenting a plurality of substantially flat cam faces in spacedrelation to the same and thereby defining with :corresponding arcuatewall portions of said cylindrical track portions a plurality of spaceswhich converge in circumferentially opposite directions, a cylindricalbearing in each said recess for Wedging engagement between oppositeconverging wall portions of the same, guide fingers on said capextending freely inwardly thereof to have opposite edge portions of thesame engageable with either of adjacent said bearings upon rotation ofthe cap relatively of said shank in either of opposite directions tomove the bearings in unison into frictional wedging engagement incorrespondingly opposite said converging wall portions, and at least onespring-pressed ball mounted to be movable by rotation of said carelatively of said shank to opposite stop positions against oppositesaid converging cam faces in which said cap is locked with respect tosaid shank in positions corresponding to said opposite wedging portionsof said bearings.

3. A reversible ratchet wrench comprising a head having an openingtherethrough between opposite sides thereof and including a cylindricaltrack portion, a turning handle affixed on said head, a shank having .awork-turning portion at one end thereof, means for rotatably mountingsaid shank in said opening to have said work-turning portion at one sideof the head and the opposite end of the shank presented at the otherside of the head, releasable locking means for retaining said rotatableshank against axial movement in said opening, a cap, means for mountingsaid cap on said opposite end of said shank to be manually rotatablerelatively of the same, said shank having an axially extending portionof polygonal cross-section within said cylindrical track portionpresenting a plurality of substantially flat cam faces in spacedrelation to the same and thereby defining with corresponding arcuatewall portions of said cylindrical track portions a plurality of spaceswhich converge in circumferentially opposite directions, a cylindricalbearing in each said recess for wedging engagement between oppositeeonverging wall portions of the same, guide fingers on said capextending freely inwardly thereof to have opposite edge portions of thesame engageable with either of adjacent said bearings upon rotation ofthe cap relatively of said shank in either of opposite directions tomove the bearings in unison into frictional wedging engagement incorrespondingly opposite said converging wall portions, and at least onespring-pressed ball mounted to be movable by rotation of saidcaprelatively of said shank to opposite stop positions against oppositesaid converging cam faces in which said cap is locked with respect tosaid shank in positions corresponding to said opposite wedging portionsof said bearings, said means for mounting the cap including a reducedportion on said shank rotatably received through a central aperture inthe cap and releasable retaining means on the outer end of the reducedportion engageable with axially outward portions of the cap, said capbeing mounted on the shank without substantial frictional engagement ofany part thereof including said fingers with said head, wherebyoperation of the wrench will not change the rotational adjustment of thecap on said shank.

4. A reversible ratchet wrench comprising a head having an owningtherethrough between opposite sides thereof and including a cylindricaltrack portion, a turning handle affixed on said head, a shank having awork-turning portion at one end thereof, means for rotatably mountingsaid shank in said opening to have said work-turning portion at one sideof the head and the opposite end of the shank presented at the otherside of the head, releasable locking means for retaining said rotatableshank against axial movement in said opening, a cap, means for mountingsaid cap on said opposite end of said shank to be manually rotatablerelatively of the same, said shank having an axially extending portionof polygonal cross-section within said cylindrical track portionpresenting a plurality of substantially fiat cam faces in spacedrelation to the same and thereby defining with corresponding arcuatewall portions of said cylindrical track portions a plurality of spaceswhich converge in circumferentially opposite directions, a cylindricalbearing in each said recess for wedging engagement between oppositeconverging wall portions of the same, guide fingers on said capextending freely inwardly thereof to have opposite edge portions of thesame engageable with either of adjacent said bearings upon rotation ofthe cap relatively of said shank in either of opposite directions tomove the bearings in unison into frictional wedging engagement incorrespondingly opposite said converging wall portions, at least oneshoulder being provided on said polygonal portion of said shank inwardlyopposite said cap and exposing opposite corner edges on the shankdefined by two adjacent converging said cam faces, at least onespring-pressed ball mounted on the inner side of said cap andball-retaining guide means provided in said cap to be in cooperationwith either of said converging corner edges of said shoulder and thenearest adjacent said bearing, in a given locked position of the cap andshank, and thereby defining confining space between the same whichretains the ball in given locked position, said cap being rotatablerelatively of said shank to ride the spring-pressed ball over saidshoulder between opposite said corner edges thereof in which thespring-pressed ball is yieldingly retained by the same and said guidemeans, thereby to lock the cap relatively of said shank in positionscorresponding to said opposite wedging positions of said bearings, saidmeans for mounting the cap including a reduced portion on said shankrotatably received through a. central aperture in the cap and releasableretaining means on the outer end of the reduced portion engageable withaxially outward portions of the cap, said cap being mounted on the shankwithout substantial frictional engagement of any part thereof includingsaid fingers with said head, whereby operation of the wrench will notchange the rotational adjustment of the cap on said shank, said shankmounting means including cylindrical seating portions on the shank andsaid opening at said one side of the head, mating annular grooves insaid seating portions, and a retractable loop spring having portionsnormally interlockingly received in both said mating grooves, saidspring having outwardly exposed end portions compressible to retract theloop of the spring more deeply within the groove in the shank forremoving the shank from the head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,003,155 Piauser May 28, 1935 2,153,988 Padgett Apr. 11, 19392,188,846 Rueb Jan. 30, 1940 2,410,392 Rich Oct. 29, 1946 2,469,572Pratt May 10, 1949

